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Hyperthyroidism?? Someone know about this?? Please answer!!

its_my_time wrote:

So my first blood panel came back and the doc said that my thyroid is a little low. It was .22, is that low? She said I could possibly have hyperthyroidism and I got freaked out a little because what I read on the internet was 'scary'.. I guess I really would prefer not to get any 'scary' feedback from this post, cause then I'll just worry all day. But if anyone has had it or knows about it, please give me a little insight. I don't know if .22 is really that bad though.. I had another blood draw today, but I wont get the results until Tuesday.. So I hope it is safe to go untreated (if I do have it) until then..

@its_my_time I've had hyperthyroidism for about 6 years now. (I'm 24) .22 is pretty low, but should be completely manageable with synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone). I take a very low dose every day, 25 micrograms, and have never had any issues with the meds. If left untreated, you could develop goiter (swollen thyroid that makes your throat look like Kimora Simmons). At any rate, the medication for hyperthyroidism is graded as "A" for pregnancy. My doctor explained to me that, during pregnancy, medications are graded on an A-B-C-D scale, with "A" being the safest. He also said that he has never seen any drug graded as an A, they are almost always a B or lower simply because of the lack of testing. So, you'll probably have your blood drawn more frequently, once a year or so, and possibly have an ultrasound done on your throat. Rest assured that the baby is safe, just don't skip out on getting your blood drawn, like I used to! If left untreated for an extended period, your thyroid can mess with your heartrate and make your chest feel like it's pounding!

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its_my_time

@Lavalicious Thank you sooooooo much for answering!!! A lady in my office was telling me I had a greater chance for loss and I got so mad! That is NOT what I wanted to hear and I don't want to hear it again! Sorry *hormonal* So synthroid is a level A? I am familiar with the drug classes after two pregs. I'll get the blood work back on Tuesday, I should be ok without meds until I can get an appt right? I have never had any health problems and it really scared me.... I do feel my chest pound at times, but I also get panick attacks, so I figured it was just that. Thanks again.. Anymore info is much appreciated. =]

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Lavalicious

@its_my_time I'm no doctor, but I think you will be fine waiting a few days. When I first found out I was pregnant, I stopped taking my synthroid for about 3 weeks until I could see a doctor to make sure it was safe. Granted, it probably wasn't a smart thing to do for my own health, but I never felt poorly, and my doc didn't seem too concerned that I had stopped taking it, just told me to start back up again. Before being pregnant, I've skipped doses for days at a time on accident and while waiting for refills. My mom has it too, and her doc said she can even double up on doses if she misses, kind of like missing a birth control dose. And, if your doc thought it was emergent, he would have rushed your bloodwork and given you samples for the weekend. No worries, just be calm for that baby.

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Roy_G_Biv

@its_my_time A low level of thyriod is HYPOthyroid not HYPERthyroid. There is a big difference and if you are accidentally looking up information on the hyper type instead of the hypo type you will be really mislead. Being hypothyroid during pregnancy isn't really a problem as long as you get on medication for it. It's much harder from what I hear to manage hyperthyroidism during pregnancy. And the information out there about the hyper type is not kind. I've been hypothyroid since I was a few months old and have always been on synthroid. It's no problem...small pill taken daily. Completely safe...and absolutely necessary to have a healthy pregnancy. This isn't something you can choose to take or not. And since it's totally safe there is no reason not to take it. Going another couple of days without it won't do harm but I suggest getting on it as soon as possible. It will make you feel a lot better within a couple of weeks. The medications have no side effects. But it can greatly help with your energy level. During your second trimester the baby is going to start taking more and more of the chemicals produced by your thyroid. So now is a very important time to start taking it. You'll be tested a lot..every couple of weeks till they find a good level for you. Right now I'm tested every 6 weeks to make sure my levels are staying good since I've had big time fluctuations the past 2 years. But being hypothyroid isn't something you need to worry about.

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NewToThisOctober2010

@its_my_time I was tested in October and it was a little off at that time. I then was tested again at 6 weeks. And the number changed a few tenths (I can't remember the details) the doc said it wasn't critical for me to go on meds but better safe than sorry. He said if I'm not producing enough of what I need then then there won't be enough for baby and possible miscarriage. I'm on a low dose of synthroid. I take a tiny pill a day. Went back a few weeks later and I'm back in the normal range. I've been concerned about my thyroid for a long time because i was gaining weight, tired, and always cold. I just pointed out to my mom today that I'm not as cold anymore. However I'm not sure what symptom changes are due to the meds versus pregnancy but couldn't say that to my mom as she doesn't know yet. I did tell her about the thyroid but didn't tell yet why I found out. The prescription only cost me $10 a month. So far so good... As far as I know. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about.

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its_my_time

@Roy_G_Biv Thanks for the reply. My doctor said for sure 'hyper' instead of hypo. I know nothing about it, but that is what she said it would be. I really appreciate all the replies and hope I can get in as soon as possible!! I would really like to know what the second blood draw says.

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annabelleonyx

@its_my_time Okay. Â There is a lot of confusion going on here. Â If your doctor said HYPERthyroid the level you had drawn was your TSH. Â .22 is kind of a low reading meaning that the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is low and your thyroid is overproducing thyroxine. Â Low TSH does NOT mean you are hypo it means you are hyper. Â Low T3 and T4 levels (which is usually also drawn at the same time means you are HYPO).

Synthroid is used to supplement thyroxine when your body isn't making enough. Â (When you are HYPOthyroid.) Â If you are hyper you will be put onÂ propylthiouracil (PTU). Â I believe there may be slight risk to this drug during pregnancy but your doctor will decide if the risk outweighs the benefits.

Here is the chart of what your levels should be during pregnancy: Â http://www.obfocus.com/high-risk/Thyroidtests.htm.I did a lot of research on this as I was hyperthyroid as a child, and subsequently had my thyroid removed. Â I have been on PTU and now will forever be on synthroid. Â I wanted to make sure that when I was pregnant I was given the correct amount of hormone.

Another thing you may want to ask your doctor is to check you for antibodies. Â Because you are hyperthyroid your body could be producing antibodies to the baby's thyroid. Â If that happens he/she would need to be treated at birth for a hypothyroid. Â (If that happens no worries they can treat it and the baby will be fine but it would be something they want to know about.)Â HTH

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its_my_time

@annabelleonyx Thanks so much!! According to that table.. I am fine at .22 TSH (can you help me out, I don't want to read it wrong...) Thanks again for clearing that up.

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2xSurvivor

@its_my_timeI agree with annabelleonyx that there is a lot of confusion! Everything that she stated IS correct. What others have stated is not!

Being untreated for a few more days will be fine. I HIGHLY suggest that you find an endocrinologist to treat you during pregnancy and not allow your OB to do it. I know that OBs catch thyroid disease during pregnancy a lot, but this is an endocrine disorder...something out of their realm of expertise. I have made it very clear to my OB that my endo will be handling all my thyroid issues during pregnancy and that if he has questions, to consult with my endo.

Even though I no longer have a thyroid (removed in 2003 because of thyroid cancer), I am actually on the hyperthyroid side now. Usually you want your TSH to be around 1.0 or so, and mine is kept suppressed at 0.1 or lower; this is to prevent a thyroid cancer recurrence. Now that I am pregnant, my endo has allowed my TSH to rise a tad since being hyper can cause the baby to be small. I get labs drawn every 6 weeks to keep tabs on it.

No matter how you are treated, request that the child be checked for a thyroid condition at birth, a simple blood test can do this. If you want a non-scary site to look at, check www.endocrineweb.com. It will give you accurate information. Know that you aren't alone and everything is okay!

You are definitely Hyper. The labs are "backwards" so to say for the diagnosis. Most people would think that with a TSH of .22, you would be Hypo, but it is the other way around. Actually .22 isn't too bad. When I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism 3 years ago my TSH was .001, and that was bad. I hadÂ my TSH checked a few weeks ago and my level was 2.2, which is perfect for the first trimester!Â Â ( I'm 8 weeks pregnant)Â My doctor explained thatÂ In your first trimester your baby needs your thyroid for brain developement and will pull alot of that hormone for him/her. So if you are already secreting extra hormone (which you are, since you are Hyper) most likely your levels will even out. Which they did in my case. Also my doctor told me that if my levels go back to where they were then they would just put me on PTU, which they may do for you. It is safe for the baby. It will just decrease the amount of hormone that you are secreting. Also the person that told you that you could possiblyÂ loose the baby with Hyperthyroidism, is wrong. It is people diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, who go untreated that risk a miscarriage. So don't worry! You are going to be fine! They will check your levels often and adjust medication as needed if you need to take it. Congratulations on your little one!

@annabelleonyx WHEW!! Ms. annabelleonyx! You are my savior today! After everything I have now read it seems that the TSH can be a little low in the first trimester. I am so glad that you gave me that table because according to that, my thyroid is ok, maybe a little on the low side, but ok. I get the 2nd TSH and (i think) T4 on Tuesday, so hopefully everything is good. I am so grateful to you. This has worried me all day. You really helped me feel a LOT better.

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annabelleonyx

@its_my_time Good. I'm glad you feel better, and yes, your TSH is low in the first trimester. Â That's why my doctors didn't change my meds because TSH will dip at the beginning. Â I'm sure it'll all be fine the next time they draw blood!

I know it is stressful though. Â I freaked out when I first found out I was pregnant about them getting the dosages right. Â I was crying hysterically over it one day and it took my father calling a doctor friend of his to calm me down. Â So I understand your concerns!

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